In front of 6,429 fans at Scotiabank Saddledome, the Calgary Hitmen lost 3-2 to the Saskatoon Blades during Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart night.

Celebrating their 25th season in the Western Hockey League, the Hitmen arranged the special evening to honour their namesake, who was one of the team’s original owners along with Theo Fleury and Joe Sakic.

“It’s a real honour for me,” said Hart while watching second-period action in the owners’ suite with a great view of the game at centre ice. “It means a lot to me.”

At the time the Hitmen were trailing the Blades 1-0, but Hart knew his favourite team had enough heart to get back in the game.

“They just need to get on the board,” said the wrestling legend, whose all-time favourite Hitmen player Brad Moran was sitting right behind him. “It’s far from over. Too bad they couldn’t sneak Brad Moran out there.”

Instead, it was forward Blake Allen, who the Hitmen recently acquired from the Regina Pats in exchange for a conditional eighth-round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft, who jammed a loose puck in the crease past Saskatoon goalie Nolan Maier at 9:18 of the second period.

Blades forward Eric Florchuk went on to score twice in the third period, including the game-winning tally with 6:19 left to play, to give him five of his eight goals this season against the Hitmen.

Mark Kastelic also scored for the Hitmen (8-4-1), while goalie Jack McNaughton made 28 saves.

Tristen Robins scored the lone goal of the first period for the Blades (9-7-2), who received a stellar 37-save performance from Maier.

The Hitmen wore limited-edition jerseys, which featured a black and pink design and a white Hitmen mask on the front wearing Hart’s trademark pink sunglasses. Inspired by the attire that Hart wore in the ring during his wrestling days, the mask is flanked by black wings and topped with the Hitmen name in bold pink lettering. It’s also trimmed with pink flames along the bottom and, as a tribute to Hart’s iconic leather jacket, has three pink stripes below a pink star on each sleeve.

“They’re great,” said Hart of the unique uniforms that made their one-and-only appearance for the special occasion. “I wish they’d keep the black and pink for the whole year. It spikes up a little interest.”

Hart created a lot of buzz before the evening affair when throngs of fans lined up to get their picture taken with him in an authentic WWE Wrestling Ring that was set up on the Saddledome concourse.

“I think it’s pretty awesome,” said 38-year-old Calgarian Mike Brand, who’s a fan of both the Hitman and the Hitmen.

Brand was one of the first in line with his wife Jane and their three-year-old son Conor and they had no qualms about shelling out $20 for the photo opportunity, especially since proceeds will go to the Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre.

“He just said thanks for participating in the cause that they’re doing here,” said Brand when asked what his wrestling hero told him while they were posing for the pic.

When he heard about the special night, Brand knew it was something he wanted his son to see, especially since his dad Bob used to take him to watch Hart in action every time a pro wrestling show came to Calgary.

An added bonus was the fact that the Prairie Wrestling Alliance hosted a 60-minute wrestling card after the game.

“Conor’s really excited for the wrestling,” said Brand, who wasn’t worried that the post-game event took place well after his son’s bedtime. “He’ll survive.”

HIT PARADE

Fans also have the opportunity to bid on the Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart-inspired uniforms at ElevateAuctions.com until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12. All game-worn jerseys are autographed by both Hart and the individual Hitmen player with the net proceeds donated to the Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre. . . . The Hitmen return to the Saddledome ice for a Sunday afternoon affair (2 p.m.) against their rivals from the north, the Edmonton Oil Kings.

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